Who Shouldnt Take Bioidentical Hormones
Using any type of hormone therapy is a decision made between you and your healthcare provider after carefully weighing the risks and benefits. Bioidentical hormones have been controversial, and many are not FDA-approved, but that doesnt mean your healthcare provider will rule them out as a treatment option.
If youve had or are at high risk for the following conditions, hormone therapy may not be safe:
- Memory loss or confusion.
Replacing these lost or low hormones is the goal of bioidentical hormone therapy or conventional hormone therapy. Once hormone levels are increased, most people see their symptoms improve. However, there is not much evidence to support that bioidentical hormones are equal to conventional hormone therapy. Your healthcare provider can discuss your options for hormone replacement with you based on your symptoms and health history.
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What Are The Side Effects & Risk Of Bhrt
In 1965, hormone replacement therapy became available to women in the UK who were struggling with menopause and post-menopausal symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, sexual dysfunction, sleep disturbances, mood changes, urinary incontinence, cognitive disturbances , and weight gain. Are you on of the women have this symptoms considering to have a bioidentical hormone therapy?
However, starting in the 1970s, several studies drew concern over the potential health risks of HRT, including increased risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, blood clots, heart disease, and stroke.
One study in particular sounded the alarm over HRT the Womens Health Initiative Hormone Therapy Trials. Between 1993 and 1998, 27,347 U.S. women ages 5079 enrolled in the study. Participants who had had their uterus removed received synthetic estrogen , while those who still had their uterus received synthetic estrogen + synthetic progestin .
The study ended in 2002 for the estrogen-plus-progestin group, and in 2004 for the estrogen-only group when participants were told to stop taking the medication due to the increased rates of serious health conditions, including coronary heart disease, stroke, breast cancer, blood clots in the lungs, colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, hip fracture, and death.
Procedural Risks
How Can I Get Started With Bioidentical Hormone Balance Therapy
First, a patient can find a Biote Certified Provider near them. If their healthcare provider is not listed, they can nominate a provider to become certified. Next, they schedule an office visit to test current hormone levels. Based on comprehensive consultation and extensive lab work, providers will determine candidacy for the Biote Method. Patients will schedule a quick follow-up appointment to review their results and, when appropriate, for pellet therapy insertion.
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What Are The Risks Of Bioidentical Hormones
It has been shown in research studies that there are risks to taking hormones. It can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, and gallbladder disease. Your risk of heart disease and breast cancer may also increase if you are older or use hormonal therapy for an extended period. Many healthcare providers who use bioidentical hormones claim they are safer than traditional hormone therapy treatments. But there have been no large research studies of bioidentical hormones to show evidence of this.
What Are The Benefits
Medical professionals remain divided regarding the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy and whether or not it can help alleviate the symptoms of hypogonadism.
Harvard Mens Health advise people considering testosterone therapy to consult a doctor and learn about all of the side effects and risks before making a decision. They also recommend that people interested in this therapy try to boost their energy by making lifestyle changes first.
However, for people using testosterone replacement therapy, testosterone pellets may offer benefits over other forms of this treatment. Potential advantages include:
- being more convenient than testosterone injections
- causing less skin irritation than gels or creams
- lasting for longer with no daily medication to take
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Hormone Pellet Therapy Side Effects You Should Know
When looking at options to ameliorate hormone imbalance symptoms the route of hormone administration seems to matter as much as the compounds themselves. Hormone replacement therapy is a therapeutic approach used to supply the body with hormones that are either deficient or inadequate. The prescribing doctor prescribes the right amount to improve symptoms without causing more symptoms or health problems. To this end, the route of hormone administration will affect the outcome. As we will discuss, hormone pellet therapy side effects are more common than with other forms of hormone administration.
Why Are Humans Taking Non
Because bio-identical hormones are naturally produced by our bodies, the production process cannot be patented. Therefore, large pharmaceutical companies cannot make large profits from the sales of bio-identical hormones. The pharmaceutical industry creates hormone drugs by using animal hormones to create products that are chemically different from human hormones but they still bind to human receptorsoften much too strongly. Premarin binds to human estrogen receptors 20 times stranger than natural estrogen. Mass production of non-bio-identical hormones by drug companies is very profitable despite the health issues and side effects caused by them. Conversely, bio-identical hormones have not been shown to have any serious side effects.
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How To Know When Hormone Pellets Wear Off
BioTE® bio-identical hormone pellet therapy puts your body back in balance naturally. But, many people wonder how to spot hormone pellet side effects. Whats normal? Whats not? And, how will you know when hormone pellets wear off? Women and men alike are loving their results with BioTE® pellet therapy. If youre gathering information or new to BioTE® take note. Lets cover these important topics so youll know what to expect.
Side Effects And Risks Of Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
Depending on each patients hormone levels, bioidentical hormone therapy involves the use of estradiol and testosterone. While testosterone is considered the male hormone, it plays an important role in womens health, as well.
Bioidentical hormones are a low-risk alternative to traditional synthetic hormones, but they still present minor risks and adverse side effects for which you should be aware.
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What Are The Benefits Of Hormone Pellets
The relationship of estrogen deficiency in women to Alzheimerâs, heart disease, colon cancer, gall-bladder disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis is well-established. The previously mentioned Womenâs Health Initiative Study found that hormone replacement therapy reduced the risk of diabetes by 14 to 19 percent and the risk of urinary incontinence by as much as 50 percent. And almost any woman who has gone through menopause will attest that estrogen deficiency is associated with mood changes, dry skin, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, night sweats, chills, and weight gain.
While women seek estrogen and progesterone replacement therapy for relief of a wide range of symptoms, men usually seek testosterone replacement therapy for a single concern, such as infertility, sexual dysfunction, or general physical condition. Hormone pellet therapy is the treatment of choice for women who would benefit from continuous bioidentical estrogen replacement therapy and for men who would benefit from long-term testosterone replacement therapy.
First-time patients may need brief counseling before insertion of the pellets. They need to know that the trocar makes a small incision through the skin and the fascia,so small that it does not need stitches.
However, patients need to be counseled to keep the incision bandaged as directed for 2 to 3 days. Since the fascia is affected by muscle movement, they need to understand that exercise or other strenuous activity until the wound begins to heal.
Isnt Testosterone For Men Only
Testosterone helps protect the health of your brain, heart, breasts and bones in both men and women.
Many people think testosterone replacement is just for men, however testosterone is essential for women, too. Its naturally present in womens bodies but as we age, it becomes depleted. And women typically begin losing their testosterone at an earlier age then men!
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How Much Do Bioidentical Hormones Cost Per Month
The average treatment cost for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is between $200-$500 per month. This cost includes high-quality medications, customized treatment plans, and follow-up appointments. The price of your treatment plan will greatly depend on your individual plan and your insurance eligibility.
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How Long Does It Take To Feel The Effects Of Therapy
After the initial pellet insertion, you should begin feeling the benefits within ten days. Each hormone replacement pellet can last between 3 4 months for women, and between four and five and a half months for men. Once the four-month cycle ends or symptoms return, we recommend a follow-up appointment for the next pellet insertion. This allows your daily level of hormones from going down to your original starting point.
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The Optimal Type Of Hrt
There is now evidence demonstrating that transdermal estrogen in association with natural micronised progesterone represents one of the optimal HRT regimens.6 Transdermal estrogen is the preferred route of administration because, in contrast with oral estrogen, estrogen as a patch or gel is not associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. It can be safely given to women who have a history of migraines, gallbladder disease, diabetes, or who are obese. The optimal progestogen is micronised progesterone which is body identical. This usually has less side effects associated with it compared with the older progestogens.7 In addition, there is no increased risk of breast cancer for the first 5 years of taking estrogen with micronised progesterone.8
Biote Has Fewer Side Effects Than Traditional Hormone Therapies
Conventional synthetic or animal-derived hormones can increase your risk of negative side effects, such as blood clots, stroke, breast cancer, and dementia.
BioTE more closely mimics the hormones within your body because it comes from plant sources. By treating hormone imbalance with a bio-identical replacement, there are fewer negative interactions within your system as your body absorbs the optimal amount of hormones needed to achieve balance.
Bio-identical hormone therapy will help you live a healthier and happier life.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Taking Bioidentical Hormones
What are the side effects of taking bioidentical hormones?
How long is it safe to take bioidentical hormones? As experts in the bioidentical hormone replacement field, we recommend undergoing this therapy for a maximum of seven years however, we also suggest that you discontinue treatment when you achieve relief from your symptoms. Unfortunately, when you stop taking hormones, your symptoms may return.
At what age should a woman stop taking bioidentical hormones? Women older than 60 or 65 dont automatically have to stop taking HRT and can consider continuing HRT beyond age 65 for persistent hot flashes, quality-of-life issues, or prevention of osteoporosis after appropriate evaluation and counseling of the benefits and risks of HRT.
Who should not take bioidentical hormones? Certain women should not undergo hormone replacement therapy of any type until detailed studies on safety have been performed. You are not considered for bioidentical therapy if you have a personal history of breast cancer or stroke, or if you have a blood clot.
How Are Biote Pellets Inserted
Biote pellet insertion is a quick, minimally invasive procedure. A certified providerwho often is a board-certified medical doctor injects a small amount of local anesthetic to numb the insertion site.
Next, your provider makes a small incision and places the pellets directly inside, where they dissolve over time. The area is covered with a bandage until its fully healed.
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The Risks Of Taking Hormone Pellets Outweigh Its Benefits
There is a great appeal to the notion of specially-formulated hormone cocktail to reverse the signs and symptoms of age-related hormone decline. Hormone pellet therapy is one of the most effective in reversing the signs of aging, especially in women. Celebrities and influencers are just raving about its benefits for women going through menopause.
What is hormone pellet therapy?
One method of hormone therapy is hormone pellets, which makes use of a small pellet inserted under the skin. It is an effective delivery method that provides continuous release of a hormone to correct hormone imbalance.
However, Pellet therapy is associated with more side effects as much as 6 times! The risks simply just outweigh the benefits. Are you willing to take the risk?
Although hormone pellets offer a great delivery system, it is usually associated with more side effects.
It was reported that pellet therapy with estradiol and/or testosterone caused as much as 6 times the number of side effects. This includes abnormal uterine bleeding and subsequent hysterectomy. Women who used hormone pellets also reported acne breakouts, crazy mood swings and anxiety, changes in hair patterns, and weight gain.
Incorrect Hormone Doses Can Cause Unpleasant Symptoms Including:
- Scar tissue at the insertion site
Men and women have reported increased aggressiveness, acne, or irritability during pellet hormone therapy. Some women have reported severe headaches, breast tenderness, spotting, cramping, and bloating. There are also reports of scar tissue at the insertion site that leave a bump or mark on the skin permanently.
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What Are Hormone Pellets
Hormone pellets are simply a way to put a specific amount of hormone into the body through a small procedure.
These pellets are usually created and filled with bio-identical hormones such as progesterone, estradiol, and testosterone.
For men, they typically include testosterone but for women, they may include all 3 or any combination.
These pellets have gained significant traction over the last 10-15 years, but is it all hype or is there something to them?
In general, and for the record, Im not a huge fan of hormone pellet therapy, but I will walk you through everything you need to know if you are considering this treatment.
There are definitely some people who love their hormone pellets, and who do very well on them, but just because some people do well on them does not mean that everyone should use them.
What Side Effects Can Occur With Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
For many men and women suffering from the unwanted symptoms of hormone imbalance, menopause, or andropause, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can be life-changing. Like all medications, bioidentical hormone therapy has some possible side effects to be aware of, though they are typically mild and temporary. Use this helpful information from the award-winning team at Body Bar MD in Carmel and Terre Haute, IN, under the direction of board-certified physician and wellness expert Dr. Christine Kirkendol Watson , to better understand the potential side effects and benefits of BHRT.
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Expert Champions Study Results With Emphasis On Risks Of Pelleted Hormones
Nanette Santoro, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine says that this study helps us to understand the concerns about using non-FDA approved hormones. And, raises the need for women to discuss the risks as well as the potential benefits of pelleted bioidentical hormones BEFORE committing to their use.
The legal loophole through which these treatments have slipped, allowing them to be considered dietary supplements, means that no one has any reason to study their safety and efficacy before marketing them.
The FDA steps in only when there is evidence of harm, says Dr. Santoro something that has happened only three times in 25 years or if there someone complains that a company is making false claims. In other words, theres no real monitoring system. Most suppliers can say what they like, and Im sure they are experts on how to exactly phrase some of the more impressive claims that allude to anti-aging effects without incurring the wrath of the FDA or any other regulator.
There is no standardization in the manufacture of these products, Dr. Santoro tells EndocrineWeb, so if they are prescribed, a patient could have irregular absorption, or there could be more or less hormone than what is stated on the label, and no one is any the wiser.
Yes You Do Need Blood Work To Determine Your Hormone Levels
Some doctors do not believe that you need blood work to determine what your hormone levels are before starting BHRT. This is somewhat confusing because the doctor would not prescribe insulin to a person with diabetes without knowing the levels of their blood sugar, nor would they prescribe thyroid medication without knowing the level of thyroid hormones.
Yet, HRT, which could comprise anywhere from one to nearly a dozen different types of hormones, is considered safe without blood work checks.
Fortunately, the providers that use HTCA pellet therapy use our required blood work to accurately match the type of hormone a person needs daily to the dose prescribed. When paired with a person, an appropriate level of hormone helps the patient feel better and reduces long-term illness. And because pellets are releasing their dose consistently over several months, the body can begin to stabilize.
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Are Bioidentical Hormones Safe
The bioidentical hormones that are approved by the FDA have been tested for safety. They have passed the FDA’s strict standards and are safe for people to use. Like all hormone treatments, there are risks involved. You should weigh the pros and cons of even the FDA-approved bioidentical hormones with your healthcare provider.
What Is Biote Hormone Replacement Therapy
BioTE hormone replacement therapy is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat hormone deficiencies that are due to age and/or genetics. The hormones used are bio-identical, which are biologically identical to what your body makes. Dr. Phillips uses hormone pellets to restore and optimize your hormone levels.
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